Image processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus includes a character recognition unit configured to perform character recognition processing for recognizing one or more characters included in image data and acquiring character information, a display unit configured to display one or more characters indicated by the character information acquired by the character recognition unit, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the image data to a folder the name of which is a character selected by a user from among the one or more characters displayed by the display unit.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/679,049, filed Nov. 8, 2019 which claims the benefit of JapanesePatent Application No. 2018-217584, filed Nov. 20, 2018, all of whichare hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, amethod for controlling the image processing apparatus, and a storagemedium.

Description of the Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-234708 discusses an imageprocessing apparatus that scans an image of a document to generate imagedata, performs character recognition processing on an area specified bya user in advance, and transmits the image data to a folder under afolder name having a character string obtained through the characterrecognition processing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Inputting characters of a folder path one by one by using a keyboardtakes much time.

With the use of the technique discussed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2005-234708, specifying an area eliminates the need ofinputting characters of a folder path one by one. In a document in whicha character string the user wants to use as the name of a destinationfolder is not described in the specified area, a target character stringhowever cannot be set in the folder path.

In particular, the position of the target character string often differsfrom document to document to be scanned, and thus it is necessary andtroublesome to set an area for each document.

In view of the above-described issues, the present disclosure isdirected to reducing user's work in setting a folder path by using acharacter string in a document.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image processingapparatus includes a character recognition unit configured to performcharacter recognition processing for recognizing one or more charactersincluded in image data and acquiring character information, a displayunit configured to display one or more characters indicated by thecharacter information acquired by the character recognition unit, and atransmission unit configured to transmit the image data to a folder thename of which is a character selected by a user from among the one ormore characters displayed by the display unit.

Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a reading system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of amultifunction peripheral (MFP).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a personalcomputer (PC).

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a screen which is displayed on anoperation unit.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a one-touch transmission scan settingscreen which is displayed on a display apparatus.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a setting editing screen for a buttonfor performing one-touch transmission scan.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a keyword character string settingscreen.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an address selection screen.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen when atransmission type is “E-mail”.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen whenthe transmission type is “Universal Serial Bus (USB) Memory”.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a character recognition area settingscreen.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate examples of screens for registering anaddress in an address book.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an address registration screen.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processingwhich is performed when a one-touch transmission button for filetransmission is selected on the MFP.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of character recognitionprocessing.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a flow of processing which isperformed by the MFP to generate a text object.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a selection screen.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a screen transition when a Letter OfIntroduction button is selected on the MFP.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing which isperformed when a user selects the Letter Of Introduction button.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of file name assignmentprocessing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings. Configurations described inthe following exemplary embodiments are to be considered asillustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited to illustratedconfigurations.

A first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedbelow. FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration example of a reading systemaccording to the present disclosure. The reading system according to thepresent exemplary embodiment includes a multifunction peripheral (MFP)101 as an example of an image processing apparatus, a file server 102 asan information processing apparatus, a mail server 103, and an onlinestorage 106. The MFP 101, the file server 102, the mail server 103, andthe online storage 106 are connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) 100.On the LAN 100, the MFP 101, the file server 102, the mail server 103,and the personal computer (PC) 104 are connected through a network sothat they can communicate with each other. The MFP 101 and the onlinestorage 106 can communicate with each other via the LAN 100 and theInternet 105.

The MFP 101 scans an image of a document, generates the read image, andtransmits the generated image data to the file server 102, the mailserver 103, and the online storage 106. Image data according to thepresent exemplary embodiment is not limited to electronic data obtainedby an image being converted into RAW image format data, and may beelectronic data in such image formats as Tag Image File Format (TIFF)and Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), and electronic data inPortable Document Format (PDF). The file server 102 is a file serverconforming to File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and the Server Message Block(SMB) protocols. The mail server 103 is a mail server conforming toSimple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The online storage 106 is anonline storage conforming to Web-based Distributed Authoring andVersioning (WebDAV) (a file sharing protocol using Hyper Text TransferProtocol (HTTP)). The PC 104 accesses the web server included in the MFP101 by using HTTP and is capable of referencing and updating settingvalues. The LAN 100 may include a wired LAN using Ethernet or a wirelessLAN.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP101. The MFP 101 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage204, an operation unit 205, a printer 206, a scanner 207, a networkinterface (I/F) 208, and an external storage device I/F 209.

The CPU 201 controls various hardware components 202 to 208 included inthe MFP 101 to implement each function of the MFP 101. The CPU 201transmits signals to various hardware components via bus lines toimplement data communication with other hardware components.

The CPU 201 of the MFP 101 controls the operation of the MFP 101 inaccordance with a control program stored in the ROM 202. Morespecifically, the CPU 201 executes an operating system (OS) forcontrolling the MFP 101 and driver programs for controlling the hardwarecomponents. Function operations and control desired by the user areimplemented by application programs arranged on the OS mutuallyoperating. The OS and various programs stored in the ROM 202 are read inthe RAM 203 and then executed.

The ROM 202 is a memory for storing programs and various data to be usedby the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is a work memory for temporarily storing aprogram and data to be used for computations by the CPU 201. The storage204 is a storage device for storing various data and various programs.

Although a flash memory is assumed as the storage 204 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard diskdrive (HDD), an embedded multimedia card (eMMC), and other auxiliarystorage devices are also applicable. Although, in the MFP 101, a singleCPU 201 executes processing illustrated in flowcharts (described below)by using a single memory (RAM 203), the MFP 101 may use otherconfigurations. For example, processing illustrated in flowcharts(described below) may be performed by a plurality of CPUs, a pluralityof RAMs, a plurality of ROMs, and a plurality of storages being operatedin a collaborative way. Part of processing may be executed by usinghardware circuitry, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC) and a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

The operation unit 205, which is a user interface, such as a touchpanel, for the user to operate the MFP 101, receives operations andinputs by the user. The operation unit 205 can also be used as a displayunit for displaying screens for operating the MFP 101.

The printer 206 is a unit for implementing a print function. The CPU 201controls the printer 206 to execute a print job received from the PC104, thus printing an image on paper. A print job herein is dataincluding instructions to cause the MFP 101 to perform print processing,image data, and print setting information.

The scanner 207 is a unit for implementing a scanning function. The CPU201 controls the scanner 207 to perform processing for opticallyscanning an image of a document and generating image data.

The network I/F 208 performs wired LAN communication, such as thecommunication over Ethernet. The network I/F 208 may be a network I/Ffor performing wireless LAN communication or a Universal Serial Bus(USB)-LAN I/F.

The external storage device I/F 209 is an interface for the MFP 101 tocommunicate with an external storage device 210. The CPU 201 controlsthe external storage device I/F 209 to store image data in the externalstorage device 210. Although, in the present exemplary embodiment, a USBinterface is assumed as the external storage device I/F 209 and a USBmemory is assumed as the external storage device 210, the externalstorage device I/F 209 may be a Secure Digital (SD) card slot forcommunicating with an external storage device, such as an SD card.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the PC 104.The PC 104 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, an HDD 304, anetwork I/F 305, an operation apparatus I/F 306, and a display apparatusI/F 307.

The CPU 301 controls various hardware components 302 to 307 included inthe PC 104 to implement each function of the PC 104. The CPU 301transmits signals to various hardware components via bus lines toimplement data communication with other hardware components.

The CPU 301 of the PC 104 controls the operation of the PC 104 inaccordance with a control program stored in the ROM 302. Morespecifically, the CPU 301 executes the OS for controlling the PC 104.The function operations and control desired by the user are implementedby the application programs arranged on the OS mutually operating. TheOS and various programs, which are stored in the ROM 302, are read inthe RAM 303 and then executed.

The ROM 302 is a memory for storing programs and various data to be usedby the CPU 201. The RAM 303 is a work memory for temporarily storing aprogram and data to be used for computations by the CPU 201. The HDD 304is a storage device for storing various data and various programs.

The network I/F 305 performs wired LAN communication, such as one overEthernet. The network I/F 305 may be a network I/F for performingwireless LAN communication or a USB-LAN I/F.

The operation apparatus I/F 306 is an interface for connecting the PC104 to an operation apparatus 310, such as a keyboard and a mouse.

The display apparatus I/F 307 is an interface for connecting the PC 104to a display apparatus 311, such as a liquid crystal display monitor.

Although the PC 104 according to the present exemplary embodiment isconnected to an external operation apparatus and an external displayapparatus, for example, an operation unit and a display unit may bebuilt in the PC 104.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a screen which is displayed on theoperation unit 205. The operation unit 205 includes a touch panel 410, aData LED 420, and an Error LED 430. The touch panel 410 displays a Homescreen 400 which is displayed immediately after the MFP 101 isactivated. The Home screen 400 is a screen for the user to instruct theMFP 101 to execute functions of the MFP 101. The Home screen 400displays a Frequently Used Settings button 401, a Scan button 402, aMenu button 403, an Address Book button 404, a Medical Questionnairebutton 405, and a Letter Of Introduction button 406. The Home screen 400constantly displays a Power-saving button 407, a Home button 408, and aStop button 409. The Power-saving button 407, the Home button 408, andthe Stop button 409 may be provided as hardware keys on the operationunit 205.

The Frequently Used Settings button 401 is used for displaying, whenselected by the user, a screen for performing a specific function in astate where user settings have been input.

The Scan button 402 is used for displaying, when selected by the user, ascreen for performing scan processing to generate image data,transmitting the generated image data through e-mail or filetransmission, and storing the image data in the external storage device210. The e-mail transmission refers to transmitting image data generatedby scanning a document, as attachment data with an e-mail The filetransmission refers to transmitting image data to the file server 102 orthe PC 104 by using a communication protocol, such as SMB and FTP.

The Menu button 403 is used for displaying, when selected by the user, amenu screen.

The Address Book button 404 is used for displaying, when selected by theuser, a screen displaying registered addresses (destinationinformation). The screen displaying addresses exhibits the transmissiontype, such as, e-mail transmission, SMB transmission, FTP transmission,and WebDAV transmission, and destination information, such as mailaddress, host name, and server information.

The Medical Questionnaire button 405 and the Letter Of Introductionbutton 406 are one-touch transmission buttons. A one-touch transmissionbutton is used for displaying, when selected by the user, a screen forscanning an image of a document based on scanning settings preset by theuser to generate image data, and transmitting the image data based onthe transmission type preset by the user.

The Power-saving button 407 is used for shifting, when selected by theuser, the MFP 101 to the power-saving state.

The Home button 408 is used for displaying, when selected by the user,the Home screen 400 on the operation unit 205.

The Stop button 409 is used for canceling, when selected by the user,the execution of a job, such as a print job currently being executed bythe MFP 101. This Stop button 409 may cancel the execution of a copy jobor a transmission job when selected by the user.

The Data LED 420 and the Error LED 430 notify the user of the status ofthe MFP 101. The Data LED 420 illuminates during execution of e-mail orfile transmission. The Error LED 430 illuminates if an error occurs inthe MFP 101.

The Home screen 400 is a function selection screen for a user to selecta function to use from among a plurality of functions including a copyfunction of performing printing based on image data, and a transmissionfunction of scanning a document to generate image data and transmittingthe image data to an external apparatus.

Assume a document in which a character string the user wants to use asthe name of a destination folder is not described in a fixed area. Inscanning an image of the document to generate image data and intransmitting the generated image data, the following issues arise in theimage processing apparatus in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2005-234708.

Inputting characters of a folder path one by one by using a keyboard maybe time consuming.

With the use of a technique discussed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2005-234708, specifying an area eliminates the need ofinputting characters of a folder path one by one. However, in a documentin which a character string the user wants to use as the name of adestination folder is not described in the specified area, a targetcharacter string cannot be set in the folder path.

In particular, the position of the target character string often differsfrom document to document to be scanned, and thus it is necessary to setan area for each document, which would be troublesome.

To address these issues, performing the following processing enablesreducing the user's work when setting a folder path by using a characterstring in a document.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a one-touch transmission scan settingscreen which is displayed on the display apparatus 311.

A one-touch transmission scan setting screen 500 illustrated in FIG. 5is displayed, for example, on the display apparatus 311 connected to thePC 104 which is accessing the web server of the MFP 101 through HTTPcommunication.

The one-touch transmission scan setting screen 500 displays ApplicationInformation area 501, a “Register New Button” button 502, items 503 to505, Display/Undisplay buttons 506, and Delete buttons 507.

The Application Information area 501 displays the version number of theapplication. Referring to FIG. 5, the version number 1.00 is displayed.

The “Register New Button” button 502 is used for, when selected by theuser, registering a new button which is to be displayed on a screendisplayed on the operation unit 205 and is used for executing aone-touch transmission scan. When the “Register New Button” button 502is selected, a setting editing screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 isdisplayed on the display apparatus 311. The setting editing screen 600illustrated in FIG. 6 will be described in detail below.

The item 503 indicates the names of buttons for performing one-touchtransmission scan registered in the MFP 101.

The item 504 indicates the transmission type set to each button forperforming one-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP 101.

The item 505 indicates the display forms of buttons for performingone-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP 101. The one-touchtransmission scan setting screen 500 also displays the Display/Undisplaybuttons 506 for changing the display form of the buttons, and the Deletebuttons 507. For example, when the display form of the “Letter OfIntroduction” button is “Display”, the button is displayed on the Homescreen 400 on the touch panel 410, as in “the Letter Of Introduction”button 406 illustrated in FIG. 4. The Display/Undisplay buttons 506enables the user to select either “Display” or “Undisplay” in a togglemanner.

The Delete button 507 deletes information about the button registered inthe MFP 101 when selected by the user.

The button named “Application A” is an example of a button forperforming one-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP 101. Forthis button, the transmission type is “E-mail”, and the display form is“Undisplay”. The setting editing screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 isdisplayed on the display apparatus 311 not only when the “Register NewButton” button 502 is selected but also when the name of an “ApplicationA” button is selected.

Four buttons with the names “Application A”, “Application B”, “Letter OfIntroduction”, and “Medical Questionnaire” are registered in FIG. 5. The“Letter Of Introduction” and “Medical Questionnaire” buttons have adisplay form of “Display”, and thus are displayed on the Home screen400. The “Application A” and “Application B” buttons have a display formof “Undisplay”, and thus are not displayed on the Home screen 400.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen forediting a button to be used for performing a one-touch transmissionscan. The button setting editing screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 isdisplayed, for example, on the display apparatus 311 connected to the PC104 which is accessing the web server of the MFP 101 through HTTPcommunication.

The button setting editing screen 600 is displayed when the user selectsthe “Register New Button” button 502 or the name of a button illustratedin FIG. 5. When the user selects the name of a button, the buttonsetting editing screen 600 is displayed in a state where the lastsetting values are input for each item. When the user selects the“Register New Button” button 502, the button setting editing screen 600is displayed in a state where the setting values are not input for anyitem. Default values may be pre-input for each item in the buttonsetting editing screen 600.

An input field 601 is used to set the name of a one-touch transmissionbutton. A character string “Letter Of Introduction” is input to theinput field 601. A one-touch transmission button performs one-touchtransmission scan when selected by the user.

A pull-down menu 602 is an object for setting a file name. The pull-downmenu 602 includes options “Button Name” and “Automatic”. When “ButtonName” is selected, the button name input to the input field 601 becomesthe name of a file to be transmitted. When “Automatic” is selected, anautomatically determined character string becomes the name of a file.For example, the date and time when scan is performed by the userselecting a one-touch transmission button to be registered in the screenillustrated in FIG. 6 is used as the name of the file.

When a check box 603 is checked, a keyword at the time of file output isenabled. A keyword will be described in detail below with reference toFIG. 7.

A keyword character string setting button 604 is used for displaying akeyword character string setting screen 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 whenselected by the user.

A pull-down menu 605 is an object for setting how and whether thetransmitted file is to be organized. The user can select one from among“Do Not Organize”, “Organize (File)”, “Organize (Folder)”, and “Organize(File and Folder)” in the pull-down menu 605. When “Do Not Organize” isselected, a keyword is not used. When “Organize (File)” is selected, akeyword is to be included in an output file name When “Organize(Folder)” is selected, a keyword is to be included in the folder name ofa folder to which a file is to be stored. When “Organize (File andFolder)” is selected, a keyword is included in the file name and thefolder name to which the file is to be output. Processing which isperformed when respective setting is made from the pull-down menu 605will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

A pull-down menu 606 is an object for selecting the transmission type intransmitting image data generated by a document being scanned. The usercan select one from among “File”, “E-mail”, and “USB Memory” in thepull-down menu 606. When “File” is selected and then a Change button 607is selected, the image data is transmitted to a folder of the PC 104 orthe file server 102 by using such a protocol as SMB, FTP, WebDAV, andSecure Shell File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). When “E-mail” is selected,the image data is transmitted to a destination by using SMTP. When “USBMemory” is selected, the image data is stored in the USB memory as theexternal storage device 210 connected to the MFP 101.

The Change button 607 is used for changing the transmission type settingto the transmission type displayed in the pull-down menu 606. When theChange button 607 is selected with the transmission type having beenselected from the pull-down menu 606, information corresponding to theselected transmission type is displayed in an item 608 and an area 609.

For the item 608, various settings including scan settings at the timeof document scanning with a one-touch transmission scan, andtransmission settings at the time of transmission can be input. Forexample, the item 608 includes the destination as displayed in the area609, reading size, file format, and document orientation settings.

The area 609 is used for displaying a transmission destination of theimage data generated by a document being scanned. The destination whichis set here is a folder path to be combined with the character string ofa text object (described below). The area 609 is a text area where atext cannot be input or edited, and displays the address selected in theaddress selection screen.

A “Selection from Address Book” button 610 is used for displaying, whenselected by the user, an address selection screen 800 in which addressesin the address book stored in the MFP 101 can be selected.

A pull-down menu 611 is used to set a file format to be used ingenerating a file of image data generated by an image of a documentbeing scanned. A file is generated in the format selected by using thepull-down menu 611.

An OK button 612 is used for storing the setting for the one-touchtransmission button in the storage 204 with the settings made in thebutton setting editing screen 600. When the OK button 612 is selected,the settings are stored in the storage 204. A Cancel button 613 is usedfor canceling the settings. When the OK button 612 or the Cancel button613 is pressed, the one-touch transmission scan setting screen 500illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a keyword character string settingscreen. A keyword character string setting screen 700 is displayed whenthe keyword character string setting button 604 is selected in thebutton setting editing screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6. The keywordcharacter string setting screen 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 is displayed,for example, on the display apparatus 311 connected to the PC 104 whichis accessing the web server of the MFP 101 through HTTP communication.

A pull-down menu 701 is an object for selecting the type of a keywordcharacter string. For the type of a keyword character string, either“Numeric Only” or “Alphanumeric” can be selected.

An input field 702 is used for setting the number of characters of thekeyword character string. According to the present exemplary embodiment,a maximum number of settable characters is 16. By setting the number ofcharacters of the keyword character string here, if the character stringrecognized in a set character recognition area differs from thecharacter string desired by the user, the different character string canbe prevented from being displayed as a recognition result. The keywordcharacter string setting is reflected in a case where a Specify Areabutton 706 is selected and an area is specified in a characterrecognition area setting screen 1100 illustrated in FIG. 11.

An input field 703 is used for inputting a character string to bedisplayed when a keyword character string is input. A maximum number ofsettable characters is 64.

A pull-down menu 704 is an object for selecting whether OpticalCharacter Recognition (OCR) processing as the character recognitionprocessing is to be performed.

An area 705 displays information indicating whether the characterrecognition area is specified. The initial value of this area is “NotSpecified”. When the Specify Area button 706 is selected and arectangular area is specified in the character recognition area settingscreen 1100 illustrated in FIG. 11, “Specified” is displayed. When aClear button 1102 is selected to delete the rectangular area and thenthe Apply button 1103 is selected in the character recognition areasetting screen 1100, “Not Specified” is displayed in the area 705.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the character recognition area settingscreen which is displayed when the Specify Area button 706 illustratedin FIG. 7 is selected. The character recognition area setting screen1100 may be displayed and settable for each of the document sizes A4 andA3. The character recognition area setting screen 1100 illustrated inFIG. 11 is displayed, for example, on the display apparatus 311connected to the PC 104 which is accessing the web server of the MFP 101through HTTP communication. The character recognition area settingscreen 1100 displays an area specification canvas 1101 with an aspectratio corresponding to the read paper size set with the item 608. Theuser can specify the starting point and the ending point of arectangular area by using a pointer. In this case, the starting andending point coordinates are converted into real space distances, whichare temporarily stored. As specific examples of setting values, astarting point (X, Y)=(10, 10) and an ending point (X, Y)=(50, 20) canbe set in mm. When the Clear button 1102 is selected, the setting valueof the character recognition area can be returned to the initial value.When the Apply button 1103 is selected, the temporarily storedcoordinate information for the two points is set to the characterrecognition area 705. More specifically, the coordinate information isstored in the storage 204 as the character recognition area 705. Afterthe Clear button 1102 and the Apply button 1103 are selected, thedisplay returns to the keyword character string setting screen 700illustrated in FIG. 7.

An OK button 707 is used for storing the setting values made in thekeyword character string setting screen 700 in the storage 204. A Cancelbutton 708 is used for canceling the setting values. When the OK button707 or the Cancel button 708 is pressed, the button setting editingscreen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 is displayed.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an address selection screen. Theaddress selection screen 800 is displayed when the user selects the“Selection from Address Book” button 610 in the button setting editingscreen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6. The address selection screen 800illustrated in FIG. 8 is displayed, for example, on the displayapparatus 311 connected to the PC 104 which is accessing the web serverof the MFP 101 through HTTP communication.

A pull-down menu 801 is a list for changing the type of the address bookto be displayed in the address selection screen 800. The pull-down menu801 enables selection of either one of “Best Members” and “AbbreviatedDialing” (not illustrated).

A Change Display button 802 is used for changing, when selected by theuser, the type of the address book to be displayed in the addressselection screen 800 to the type displayed in the pull-down menu 801.

An area 803 is a display area where the name of the address book isdisplayed. A list 804 is an area where an address list is displayed.Each line in the list 804 includes Selection (a selectable check box,Number, Type, Name, and Destination. For Selection, either one of acheckable check box and an uncheckable check box is displayed. ForNumber, the address management number is displayed. For Type, where anicon is displayed, a different icon is displayed based on the addresstype. For Name, the name assigned to the address is displayed. ForDestination, the address is displayed.

When an OK button 805 is selected in a state where the check box ischecked, the address is displayed in the area 609. The MFP 101 receivesthe address from the PC 104 through HTTP communication and stores theaddress in the storage 204 as the destination address of the image data.

Supplementary information about the display of a checkable check box andan uncheckable check box will be described below. FIG. 8 illustrates ascreen display when the user selects an address from the address book“Best Members” in a state where “File” is selected in the pull-down menu606 illustrated in FIG. 6. In the address book “Best Members”, twoaddresses with the “File” transmission type and two addresses with the“E-mail” transmission type are registered. In the address selectionscreen 800, destinations corresponding to the set transmission type areselectable with checkable check boxes in this way. For an address ofwhich the type match the type in the pull-down menu 606, a checkablecheck box is displayed. More specifically, an uncheckable check box isdisplayed for addresses with Numbers 01 and 02, and a checkable checkbox is displayed for addresses with Numbers 03 and 04.

The OK button 805 is used for determining address selection based on thesetting values in the address selection screen. A Cancel button 806 isused for canceling the setting values. When the OK button 805 or theCancel button 806 is selected, the button setting editing screen 600illustrated in FIG. 6 is displayed.

A setting for the Medical Questionnaire button 405 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment will be described below. The MedicalQuestionnaire button 405 is registered in a state where “MedicalQuestionnaire” is input to the input field 601, “Button Name” isselected from the pull-down menu 602, and the check box 603 is checkedin the button setting editing screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6. TheMedical Questionnaire button 405 is registered in a state where“Organize (Folder)” is selected from the pull-down menu 605 and “File”is selected from the pull-down menu 606 in the button setting editingscreen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6. The Medical Questionnaire button 405is registered in a state where “Numeric Only” is selected from thepull-down menu 701, “7” is input to the input field 702, and “InputPatient Number” is input to the input field 703 in the keyword characterstring setting screen 700 illustrated in FIG. 7. The MedicalQuestionnaire button 405 is registered in a state where “Enable” isselected from the pull-down menu 704, the Specify Area button 706 is notselected, and Destination “\\file_server\medical_questionnaire” forNumber 04 is selected in the address selection screen 800 illustrated inFIG. 8.

A setting of the Letter Of Introduction button 406 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment will be described below. The Letter OfIntroduction button 406 is generated when “Letter Of Introduction” isinput to the input field 601, “Button Name” is selected from thepull-down menu 602, and the check box 603 is checked in the buttonsetting editing screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6. The MedicalQuestionnaire button 405 is generated when “Organize (File and Folder)”is selected from the pull-down menu 605 and “File” is selected from thepull-down menu 606 in the button setting editing screen 600 illustratedin FIG. 6. Further, the Letter Of Introduction button 406 is generatedwhen “Numeric Only” is selected “7” from the pull-down menu 701, “7” isinput to the input field 702, and “Input Patient Number” is input to theinput field 703 in the keyword character string setting screen 700illustrated in FIG. 7. The Letter Of Introduction button 406 isgenerated when “Enable” is selected from the pull-down menu 704, theSpecify Area button 706 is selected, and “starting point (X, Y)=(10, 10)and ending point (X, Y)=(50, 20)” are set. The Letter Of Introductionbutton 406 is registered in a state where Destination“\\file_server\letter_of_introduction” of Number 03 is selected in theaddress selection screen 800 illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen havinga transmission type of “E-mail”. A button setting editing screen 900illustrated in FIG. 9 will be described below with an example of thesettings of an “Application A” button. The button setting editing screen900 illustrated in FIG. 9 is displayed, for example, on the displayapparatus 311 connected to the PC 104 which is accessing the web serverof the MFP 101 through HTTP communication.

An input field 901, pull-down menus 902, 905, and 906, a check box 903,and a keyword character string setting button 904 are similar to theinput field 601, the pull-down menus 602, 605, and 606, the check box603, and the keyword character string setting button 604, respectively,illustrated in FIG. 6, and redundant descriptions thereof will beomitted.

When “E-mail” is selected from the pull-down menu 906 and the Changebutton 907 is selected, transmission settings for an item 908 aredisplayed as illustrated in the button setting editing screen 900.

An input field 909 is used for inputting the mail address of thetransmission destination of image data generated by scanning a document.

An Add button 910, when selected by the user, adds the mail addressinput to the input field 909 to a destination list 911.

The destination list 911 is a text display area from which for each mailaddress can be selected. The destination list 911 displays the fieldname and mail address when transmitting an e-mail Any of “To”, “Cc”, and“Bcc” is displayed as the field name in transmitting an e-mail. Theinitial value of the field name in adding a mail address to thedestination list 911 is “To”.

A “Select from Address Book” button 912 is used for displaying, whenselected by the user, displays the address selection screen 800 forselecting a mail address to be added to the destination list 911, fromthe address book.

A “Select To/Cc/Bcc” changing button 913, when selected by the user,changes the field of the mail address selected in the destination list911. Each time this button is selected, To, Cc, and Bcc is cyclicallychanged in this order.

A Delete button 914, when selected by the user, deletes the mail addressselected in the destination list 911 from the destination list 911.

An input field 915 is used to input the subject of the e-mail to betransmitted. When an Add Button Name button 916 is selected, the buttonname input to the input field 901 is input to the input field 915.

An input field 917 is used for inputting the body text of the e-mail tobe transmitted. When an Add Button Name button 918 is selected, thebutton name input to the input field 901 is input to the input field917.

An OK button 919 and a Cancel button 920 are similar to the OK button612 and the Cancel button 613, respectively. In a case where a one-touchtransmission button having a transmission type of “E-mail” is selected,the character recognition processing is not performed.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen whichis displayed in a case where the transmission type is “USB Memory”. Abutton setting editing screen 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 will bedescribed below with an example of the settings of an “Application B”button. The button setting editing screen 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 isdisplayed, for example, on the display apparatus 311 connected to the PC104 which is accessing the web server of the MFP 101 through HTTPcommunication.

An input field 1001, pull-down menus 1002, 1005, and 1006, a check box1003, and a keyword character string setting button 1004 are similar tothe input field 601, the pull-down menus 602, 605, and 606, the checkbox 603, and the keyword character string setting button 604,respectively, illustrated in FIG. 6, and redundant descriptions thereofwill be omitted.

When USB Memory is selected from the pull-down menu 1006 and the Changebutton 1007 is selected, transmission settings for an item 1008 aredisplayed as illustrated in the button setting editing screen 1000. Theitem 1008 enables the user to make scan settings when scanning adocument to generate image data, such as the reading size, the colorsetting, and the format of a file to be generated.

When the transmission type is “USB Memory”, image data generated byscanning an image of a document is stored in a USB memory.

An address registration screen which is displayed in the addressselection screen 800 illustrated in FIG. 8 will be described below.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate examples of screens for registering anaddress in the address book. The screens illustrated in FIGS. 12A and12B are displayed on the display apparatus 311 connected to the PC 104when the PC 104 accesses the web server of the MFP 101 through HTTP byusing a web browser.

FIG. 12A illustrates an example of an address registration screen. Anaddress registration screen 1200 displays an address book selection area1201, check boxes 1202, an OK button 1203, and a Cancel button 1204.

In the address book selection area 1201, “Abbreviated Dialing” and “BestMembers” can be selected. FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a case where“Best Members” is selected.

The type of the destination to be registered can be selected with thecheck boxes 1202. The OK button 1203 is used for displaying, whenselected by the user, a destination registration screen 1210 illustratedin FIG. 12B on which the selected destination type is reflected.

The Cancel button 1204 is used for canceling the settings and theaddress book registration process when selected by the user.

FIG. 12B illustrates an example of a destination registration screen.The destination registration screen 1210 displays input fields 1211,1213, 1214, 1215, and 1216, a pull-down menu 1212, an OK button 1217,and a Cancel button 1218. The destination registration screen 1210 isused for registering a destination when the transmission type is “File”transmission.

The input field 1211 is used to input the name of a destination. Thepull-down menu 1212 is an object for selecting the protocol to be usedin transmitting image data to the transmission destination. Thepull-down menu 1212 enables selecting a protocol from SMB, FTP, andWebDAV.

The input field 1213 is used for inputting the host name of atransmission destination, i.e., a name-resolvable server name orInternet Protocol (IP) address. The input field 1214 is used forinputting the folder path of the destination.

The input fields 1215 and 1216 are the input fields for entering theuser name and password for accessing the server specified with the hostname input to the input field 1213.

When the OK button 1217 is selected by the user, the CPU 201 stores theinput setting values in the storage 204 as a new destination. The Cancelbutton 1218, when selected by the user, cancels the settings and theaddress book registration process.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an address registration screen. Anaddress registration screen 1300 displays input fields 1301 and 1302, anOK button 1303, and a Cancel button 1304. The address registrationscreen 1300 is used for registering an address when the transmissiontype is “E-mail” transmission. The address registration screen 1300illustrated in FIG. 13 is displayed, for example, on the displayapparatus 311 connected to the PC 104 which is accessing the web serverof the MFP 101 through HTTP communication.

The input field 1301 is used to input the name of an address. The inputfield 1302 is used to input the mail address of a transmissiondestination.

When the OK button 1303 is selected by the user, the CPU 201 stores theinput setting values in the storage 204 as a new address. The Cancelbutton 1304, when selected by the user, cancels the settings and theaddress book registration process.

This completes descriptions of the processing for pre-registering abutton. Processing which is performed when the user uses the registeredbutton will be described below. Some or all of the above-describedscreens may be displayed and used to receive operations on the operationunit 205 of the MFP 101, or displayed and used for receiving operationson the PC 104 connected to the web server of the MFP 101.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processingwhich is performed when a one-touch transmission button for filetransmission is selected on the MFP 101. Processing of the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 14 is implemented by the CPU 201 loading a programstored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing the program. Theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 14 is started when the power of the MFP101 is turned ON. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 14 may be executedin a case where the transmission type of the one-touch transmissionbutton is “File” transmission. In a case where the transmission type is“E-mail” or “USB Memory”, the character recognition processing may notbe executed, as illustrated in FIG. 14.

In step S1401, the CPU 201 determines whether a one-touch transmissionbutton is selected. If the CPU 201 determines that a one-touchtransmission button is selected (YES in step S1401), the processingproceeds to step S1402. If the CPU 201 determines that a one-touchtransmission button is not selected (NO in step S1401), the processingreturns to step S1401. Here, a case where the Medical Questionnairebutton 405 is selected as a one-touch transmission button will bedescribed below.

In step S1402, the CPU 201 reads scan settings made in the settingediting screen 600 from the storage 204.

In step S1403, based on the scan settings read in step S1402, the CPU201 controls the scanner 207 to scan an image of a document to generateimage data.

In step S1404, the CPU 201 performs the character recognition processingby using the generated image data. The character recognition processingwill be described below in detail with reference to FIG. 15.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the characterrecognition processing. Processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG.15 is implemented by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the ROM 202into the RAM 203 and executing the program. The flowchart illustrated inFIG. 15 is started when “Enable” is selected for the characterrecognition from the pull-down menu 704, and the CPU 201 scans an imageof a document to generate image data in step S1403.

In step S1501, the CPU 201 generates binary image data by using theimage data generated in step S1403. The generated binary image data isstored in the RAM 203.

In step S1502, the CPU 201 reduces the resolution of the binary imagedata generated in step S1501. Reducing the resolution leads to areduction in the load of processing for searching for a character areafrom the binary image data.

In step S1503, the CPU 201 searches for a character area in an imageindicated by the binary image data with the reduced resolution. A rangeto be subjected to character area search may be the entire range of theimage data or an area set by the user.

In step S1504, the CPU 201 performs character clipping process on thearea determined as a character area in step S1503. The characterclipping process is processing for clipping the circumscribed rectangleof each character as a character clipping rectangle based on theprojection from the horizontal direction and the projection from thevertical direction. This character clipping process is performed on allof the areas which are determined as character areas.

In step S1505, the CPU 201 compares each character clipping rectanglewith dictionary data stored in the ROM 202 and acquires the charactercode of the most similar character and coordinate information about thecharacter clipping rectangle. This dictionary comparison processing isperformed on all of the character clipping rectangles. In thisprocessing, the CPU 201 may acquire font information in addition to thecharacter code and coordinate information.

In step S1506, the CPU 201 stores character information, that is,character code and coordinate information, acquired in step S1505 in theRAM 203.

The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 14 will be described again below. Instep S1405, the CPU 201 generates a text object by using the characterinformation. Processing for generating a text object will be describedin detail below with reference to FIG. 16.

FIG. 16 is an example of a flow of processing which is performed by theMFP 101 to generate a text object. Processing of the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 16 is implemented by the CPU 201 loading a programstored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing the program. Theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 16 is started upon completion of thecharacter recognition processing for one page in step S1404.

In step S1601, the CPU 201 acquires the character information stored instep S1506. In step S1602, the CPU 201 determines whether a character(character clipping rectangle) exists to the right of the characterclipping rectangle at the upper left coordinates of the imagerepresented by the image data. If the CPU 201 determines that acharacter exists (YES in step S1602), the processing proceeds to stepS1603. If the CPU 201 determines that a character does not exist (NO instep S1602), the processing proceeds to step S1604.

In step S1603, the CPU 201 determines whether the distance to thecharacter (character clipping rectangle) to the right is a thresholdvalue or below. If the CPU 201 determines that the distance is thethreshold value or below (YES in step S1603), the processing proceeds tostep S1607. If the CPU 201 determines that the distance is larger thanthe threshold value (NO in step S1603), the processing proceeds to stepS1604.

In step S1607, the CPU 201 combines a target character with thecharacter to the right of the target character to generate a characterstring. The CPU 201 then selects the character to the right as thetarget character. The processing returns to step S1602.

In step S1604, the CPU 201 stores one character string or combinedcharacter strings in the RAM 203 as one character string to be used fora text object.

In step S1605, the CPU 201 generates a text object by using thecharacter string stored in the RAM 203 in step S1604. In this case, atext object refers to a button in which a character string is displayed.

In step S1606, the CPU 201 determines whether all of pieces of thecharacter information have been checked. If the CPU 201 determines thatall of pieces of the character information have been checked (YES instep S1606), the processing exits the flowchart. If the CPU 201determines that not all of pieces of the character information have beenchecked (NO in step S1606), the processing proceeds to step S1608.

In step S1608, the CPU 201 selects the next character as the targetcharacter. The processing then returns to step S1602. In a case wherethe processing returns to step S1602, the CPU 201 selects the characterto the right as the next character and, after checking the rightmostcharacter, selects the character at the left end of the row one below asthe next character. The CPU 201 may change the position of the characterto be selected next based on the character writing direction of thedocument.

Return to the description of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 14. Instep S1406, the CPU 201 determines whether the page having beensubjected to the character recognition processing and text objectgeneration processing is the last page of the images scanned in stepS1403. If the CPU 201 determines that the page is the last page (YES instep S1406), the processing proceeds to step S1407. If the CPU 201determines that the page is not the last page (NO in step S1406), theprocessing returns to step S1404 for the next page.

In step S1407, the CPU 201 displays a screen for selecting a textobject. An example of a selection screen which is displayed here isillustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a selection screen 1700. An area 1701displays the folder path selected in the address selection screen 800. Apreview image 1702 is an image of a scanned document.

A list 1703 is a list for displaying, for example, the text objectsgenerated in step S1605. This list displays the text objects rangingfrom the one corresponding to the upper left character clippingrectangle to the one corresponding to the lower right character clippingrectangle.

An area 1704 displays the character string represented by a text objectselected from the list 1703. The character string represented by theselected text object is stored in the RAM 203. Referring to FIG. 17, atext object 1705 is selected, and thus “123” represented by the textobject 1705 is displayed in the area 1704. As in the text object 1705,the selected text object is highlighted. The character string in thepreview image is also highlighted as in the area 1710.

A Previous button 1706 is used for changing, when selected by the user,the currently displayed preview image and list to the ones correspondingto the previous page.

A Next button 1707 is used for changing, when selected by the user, thecurrently displayed preview image and list to the ones corresponding tothe next page.

An Apply button 1708 is used for transmitting, when selected by theuser, the generated image data to the folder path as a combination ofthe character strings displayed in the areas 1701 and 1704 at the timewhen the Apply button 1708 is selected. More specifically, the imagedata is transmitted to the folder indicated by a folder path includingthe folder path displayed in the area 1701 and the name of a folder thename of which is the character string displayed in the area 1704, wherethe name of the folder is added to one lower level of the folder pathdisplayed in the area 1701

A Clear button 1709 is used for deleting the character string currentlydisplayed in the area 1704, from the area 1704 and the RAM 203.

Return to the description of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 14. Instep S1408, the CPU 201 determines whether the text object in the list1703 is selected, i.e., the character represented by the text object isselected. If the CPU 201 determines that the text object is selected(YES in step S1408), the processing proceeds to step S1409. If the CPU201 determines that the text object is not selected (NO in step S1408),the processing proceeds to step S1420.

In step S1409, the CPU 201 highlights the selected text object and thecharacter string in the preview image corresponding to the text object.Highlighting the character string in the preview image enables the userto easily recognize which portion of the document the selected characterstring is. For example, when the user views the preview image, thehighlighted character string enables the user to easily recognizewhether the title of the document is selected or the value of a specificitem, such as the patient ID, is selected.

In step S1410, the CPU 201 stores the character string represented bythe selected text object in the RAM 203.

In step S1411, the CPU 201 determines whether the Apply button 1708 isselected. When the CPU 201 determines that the Apply button 1708 isselected (YES in step S1411), the processing proceeds to step S1412. Ifthe CPU 201 determines that the Apply button 1708 is not selected (NO instep S1411), the processing proceeds to step S1430.

In step S1412, the CPU 201 acquires the host name (folder path)currently displayed in the area 1701. Referring to FIG. 17, the hostname (folder path) is “\\file_server\medical_questionnaire\”.

In step S1413, the CPU 201 combines the folder path acquired in stepS1412 with the character string stored in step S1410 and sets theresultant folder path as the transmission destination of the image datagenerated in step S1403. Referring to FIG. 17, the resultant folder pathis “\\file_server\medical_questionnaire\123”.

In step S1414, the CPU 201 generates a file based on the generated imagedata and assigns a file name to the file. This processing will bedescribed in detail below with reference to FIG. 20.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of file name assignmentprocessing. Processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 20 isimplemented by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the ROM 202 intothe RAM 203 and executing the program. The flowchart illustrated in FIG.20 is started upon completion of the processing in step S1413. Theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 20 is also started upon completion ofprocessing in step S1911 (described below).

In step S2001, the CPU 201 acquires information indicating the settingselected from the pull-down menu 602 in the button setting editingscreen 600, from the storage 204, and stores the information in the RAM203.

In step S2002, the CPU 201 acquires information indicating the settingof the check box 603 in the button setting editing screen 600, from thestorage 204, and stores the information in the RAM 203.

In step S2003, the CPU 201 acquires information indicating the settingselected from the pull-down menu 611 in the button setting editingscreen 600, from the storage 204, and stores the information in the RAM203.

In step S2004, the CPU 201 determines whether the file organization isset. If “Organize” (File) or “Organize (File and Folder)” is selected inthe button setting editing screen 600, i.e., the CPU 201 determines toperform the file organization (YES in step S2004), the processingproceeds to step S2005. If “Do Not Organize” or “Organize (Folder)” isselected in the button setting editing screen 600, i.e., the CPU 201determines not to perform the file organization (NO in step S2004), theprocessing proceeds to step S2007.

In step S2005, the CPU 201 determines whether to use a keyword (thecharacter string of a selected text object) to determine a file namebased on the information acquired in step S2002. More specifically, ifthe check box 603 is checked, i.e., the CPU 201 determines to use akeyword (YES in step S2005), the processing proceeds to step S2006. Ifthe check box 603 is not checked, i.e., the CPU 201 determines not touse a keyword (NO in step S2005), the processing proceeds to step S2007.

In step S2006, the CPU 201 stores a flag indicating that a keyword is tobe included in a file name, in the RAM 203.

In step S2007, the CPU 201 stores a flag indicating that a keyword isnot to be included in a file name, in the RAM 203. In this processing,the CPU 201 may store no flag.

In step S2008, the CPU 201 determines whether to use a button name todetermine a file name based on the settings acquired in step S2001. Morespecifically, if “Button Name” is selected from the pull-down menu 602,i.e., the CPU 201 determines to use a button name (YES in step S2008),the processing proceeds to step S2009. If “Automatic” is selected fromthe pull-down menu 602, i.e., the CPU 201 determines not to use a buttonname (NO in step S2008), the processing proceeds to step S2010.

In step S2009, the CPU 201 stores a flag indicating that a button nameis to be included in a file name, in the RAM 203.

In step S2010, the CPU 201 stores a flag indicating that a button nameis not to be included in a file name, in the RAM 203. In thisprocessing, the CPU 201 may store no flag.

In step S2011, the CPU 201 acquires the present date and time and storesthem in the RAM 203.

In step S2012, the CPU 201 checks the flag stored in the RAM 203 anddetermines a file name based on the flag and the present date and timestored in step S2011. Although this processing has been described toinclude a keyword and a button name in a file name, the processing isnot limited thereto. For example, the CPU 201 may acquire only thepresent date and time and assign them to the file name.

Return to the description of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 14. Instep S1415, the CPU 201 transmits the file generated in step S1414 tothe destination set in step S1413.

In step S1420, the CPU 201 determines whether instruction to switchbetween the preview image and the list is received by the Previousbutton 1706 or the Next button 1707 having been selected. If the CPU 201determines that the instruction is received (YES in step S1420), theprocessing proceeds to step S1421. If the CPU 201 determines that theinstruction is not received (NO in step S1420), the processing returnsto step S1408.

In step S1421, the CPU 201 displays the preview image and the list ofthe text object of the page corresponding to the selected button.

In step S1430, the CPU 201 determines whether the Clear button 1709 isselected. If the CPU 201 determines that the Clear button 1709 isselected (YES in step S1430), the processing proceeds to step S1431. Ifthe CPU 201 determines that the Clear button 1709 is not selected (NO instep S1430), the processing returns to step S1411.

In step S1431, the CPU 201 deletes the character string currentlydisplayed in the area 1704 from the area 1704 and the RAM 203.

Performing the above-described processing achieves a reduction in theuser's work in an image processing apparatus that scans an image of adocument to generate image data and transmits the image data to adestination folder based on a character string obtained by performingthe character recognition processing on the image data.

Although, in the present exemplary embodiment, the MFP 101 scans animage of a document to generate image data and performs the characterrecognition processing and text object generation processing when aone-touch transmission button is selected, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. For example, the MFP 101 may receive image datatransmitted from an external apparatus, and perform the characterrecognition processing and text object generation processing on theimage data, and display a screen as illustrated in FIG. 17. The MFP 101may scan an image of a document to generate image data, and perform thecharacter recognition processing and text object generation processingwhen the Scan button 402 is selected.

Although, in the present exemplary embodiment, a description has beenprovided of an example where setting screens, such as the button settingediting screen 600, are displayed on the display apparatus 311 connectedto the PC 104 through HTTP communication, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. For example, setting screens, such as the buttonsetting editing screen 600, may be displayed on the touch panel 410 onthe operation unit 205 of the MFP 101 and receive operations.

A second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. The first exemplary embodiment has been describedcentering on the processing for displaying a selection screen asillustrated in FIG. 17 and determining the destination of image datawhen a text object on the selection screen is selected. The presentexemplary embodiment will be described below with an example where anarea to be subjected to the character recognition processing isspecified in advance, and a character string which is recognized in thearea is determined as the destination of image data.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a screen transition when the Letter OfIntroduction button 406 is selected on the MFP 101. FIG. 18 illustratesa flow of processing for transmitting image data generated by an imageof a document being scanned with the scanner 207. The screensillustrated in FIG. 18 are displayed on the touch panel 410 of theoperation unit 205.

After placing a document on the scanner 207, the user selects the LetterOf Introduction button 406 in the Home screen 400. When the Letter OfIntroduction button 406 is selected, the CPU 201 starts scanning thedocument based on the scan settings pre-registered to the button in thescreen illustrated in FIG. 6, and performs the character recognitionprocessing on the scanned document in the area set in the characterrecognition area setting screen 1100, based on the character type andthe limitation on the number of characters. In this case, the CPU 201extracts only character strings corresponding to the character type setwith the pull-down menu 701 illustrated FIG. 7 in the area set in thecharacter recognition area setting screen 1100, and stores them in theRAM 203. The CPU 201 then displays a character string applying to thenumber of characters input in the input field 702 illustrated in FIG. 7out of character strings stored in the RAM 203, for example, on a LetterOf Introduction button screen 1800. If a plurality of character stringssatisfying the above-described two conditions is extracted, the CPU 201may preferentially display the character string recognized at theuppermost portion in the set area. In the Letter Of Introduction buttonscreen 1800, the character string “Input Patient Number” input to theinput field 703 illustrated in FIG. 7 is displayed in an area 1804. Aninput field 1801 for inputting a patient number is also displayed. Thepatient number determined through the character recognition processingis automatically input to the input field 1801. In this case, limitingthe character type with the pull-down menu 701 illustrated in FIG. 7reduces the search range. This makes it possible to performhigh-accuracy processing, with reduced recognition errors, in a shortperiod of time. The recognition accuracy further increases by limitingthe number of characters in the input field 702. For example, when thenumber of characters is limited to 1, a recognition error of recognizing“cl” as “d” does not occur for a character string “d”. When a characterrecognition area is set, it is not necessary to perform the recognitionprocessing on the entire area of the document, making it possible toperform processing in a short period of time.

If the user selects a “No” button 1803, the display screen returns tothe Home screen. If the patient number (“0123456” illustrated in FIG.18) satisfies the conditions of the character type and the number ofcharacters and if the user selects a “Yes” button 1802, the image datais transmitted to the destination set in the button setting editingscreen 600. If not, a pop-up screen appears to call for attention.According to this screen transition, the user is able to perform datatransmission with at least two touch operations.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing which isperformed when the user selects the Letter Of Introduction button 406.Processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 19 is implemented by theCPU 201 loading a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 andthen executing the program. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 19 isstarted when the Home screen 400 is displayed on the touch panel 410 ofthe operation unit 205 of the MFP 101, and a one-touch transmissionbutton is selected in the Home screen 400. This flowchart will bedescribed below centering on processing which is performed when theLetter Of Introduction button 406 is selected.

In step S1901, the CPU 201 determines whether “Enable” is selected fromthe pull-down menu 704 for the “Character Recognition” setting in thekeyword character string setting screen 700, for the Letter OfIntroduction button 406. When “Enable” is selected (YES in step S1901),the processing proceeds to step S1902. If “Enable” is not selected (NOin step S1901), the processing proceeds to step S1920.

In step S1902, the CPU 201 controls the scanner 207 to scan an image ofa document. In step S1903, based on the image scanned in step S1902, theCPU 201 generates image data based on the scan settings set to theLetter Of Introduction button 406.

In step S1920, the CPU 201 displays the Letter Of Introduction buttonscreen 1800 illustrated in FIG. 18 as a keyword input screen on thetouch panel 410 of the operation unit 205.

In step S1921, the CPU 201 determines whether the “No” button 1803 inthe Letter Of Introduction button screen 1800 is selected by the user.If the CPU 201 determines that the “No” button 1803 is selected (YES instep S1921), the processing returns to step S1901. If the “Yes” button1802 is selected (NO in step S1921), the processing proceeds to stepS1922.

In step S1922, the CPU 201 determines whether the character string inputto the input field 1801 satisfies the conditions of the number ofcharacters and the character type set in the keyword character stringsetting screen 700. If the CPU 201 determines that the conditions aresatisfied (YES in step S1922), the processing proceeds to step S1902. Ifthe CPU 201 determines that the conditions are not satisfied (NO in stepS1922), the processing returns to step S1920.

In step S1904, the CPU 201 determines whether “Enable” is selected forthe “Character Recognition” setting in the keyword character stringsetting screen 700 for the Letter Of Introduction button 406. If“Enable” is selected (YES in step S1904), the processing proceeds tostep S1905. If “Enable” is not selected (NO in step S1904), theprocessing proceeds to step S1911.

In step S1905, the CPU 201 determines the area set in the characterrecognition area setting screen 1100 illustrated in FIG. 11 as the areato be subjected to the character recognition (OCR) processing. In a casewhere the character recognition area setting screen 1100 is not set(“Not Specified” is selected for “Character Recognition Area”), the CPU201 determines the entire document image area as the characterrecognition target area.

In step S1906, the CPU 201 performs the character recognition processingin the area determined in step S1905. The character recognitionprocessing is similar to the processing in step S1404, and thusredundant description thereof will be omitted.

In step S1907, the CPU 201 determines whether the character string(keyword) indicated by the character information acquired in step S1906satisfies the condition of the number of characters. If the number ofcharacters of the recognized character string is larger than thecondition value (“7” illustrated in FIG. 7), the CPU 201 deletescharacters from the end until the condition value is reached. Not onlythe condition of the number of characters but also the condition of thecharacter type is applicable. For example, the condition may specifywhether a number is included or whether an alphabetical character isincluded. A character string recognized without this condition may beused as a keyword.

In step S1908, the CPU 201 displays the Letter Of Introduction buttonscreen 1800, in which the character string recognized in step S1905 isinput to the input field 1801 illustrated in FIG. 18, on the touch panel410 of the operation unit 205. If the character recognition fails, theuser can change the patient number in this screen.

In step S1909, the CPU 201 determines whether the “No” button 1803 ofthe Letter Of Introduction button screen 1800 is selected by the user.If the CPU 201 determines that the “No” button 1803 is selected (YES instep S1909), the processing returns to step S1901. If the CPU 201determines that the “Yes” button 1802 is selected (NO in step S1909),the processing proceeds to step S1910.

In step S1910, the CPU 201 determines whether the patient number inputby the user when the Letter Of Introduction button screen 1800 isdisplayed satisfies the conditions of the character type and the numberof characters. If the CPU 201 determines that the conditions aresatisfied (YES in step S1910), the processing proceeds to step S1911. Ifthe CPU 201 determines that the conditions are not satisfied (NO in stepS1910), the processing returns to step S1908.

In step S1911, the CPU 201 sets the folder path as a combination of thehost name and the keyword, as a destination. The method of combinationis similar to that in the processing in step S1413.

In step S1912, the CPU 201 performs similar processing to the processingin step S1414.

In step S1913, the CPU 201 controls the network I/F, and the network I/Ftransmits image data to the destination set in step S1911. The CPU 201may store the set destination in association with a button and, eachtime the button is selected, transmit image data to the storeddestination without performing the character recognition processing.

Performing the above-described processing makes it possible toautomatically set the character recognition processing result as a partof a folder path, thus reducing the user's work. Setting conditions,such as the number of characters of a keyword, makes it possible toprevent a misrecognized character string from being used as adestination.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: acharacter recognition unit configured to perform character recognitionprocessing for recognizing one or more characters included in image dataand acquiring character information; a display unit configured todisplay one or more characters indicated by the character informationacquired by the character recognition unit; and a transmission unitconfigured to transmit the image data to a folder the name of which is acharacter selected by a user from among the one or more charactersdisplayed by the display unit.